Work On Main Road Level Crossing Removal Ramps Up

Work on the removal of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Main Rd in St Albans has ramped up, with demolition of the existing station building and platform 2 now underway.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan, Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, and Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman to inspect works at the busy crossing.

Main Road level crossing is used by 20,000 vehicles and 210 trains every day. Boom gates are down for up to 65 minutes between 7:00am and 9:00am – more than half the morning peak.

The demolition of the station building and platform is the crucial first step in lowering the rail line below Main Rd and rebuilding St Albans Station with access to platforms below street level.

This will allow trains to pass safely underneath the road, eliminating the risk of trains colliding with cars, pedestrians and cyclists on Main Rd.

There have been two deaths and 45 recorded near misses at the Main Rd level crossing in the past decade.

To ensure life-saving work to remove the crossing can take place as safely and efficiently as possible, Sunbury-bound services between Ginifer Station and Keilor Plains Station will be replaced by buses until 30 October.

The $222.9 million removal of Main Rd level crossing is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments, with the Federal Government contributing $151 million.

It is part of a package of works worth more than $480 million, which also includes the removal of level crossings at Furlong Rd in St Albans, Heatherdale Rd in Mitcham and Blackburn Rd in Blackburn, as well as major upgrades to the neighbouring stations.

For information about changes to train services on the Sunbury line during October, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6am – midnight).

For more information about the Andrews Labor Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or follow the Project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“This level crossing has claimed lives and continues to put people at risk. It’s a relic of the past, it needs to go and we’re getting on with it.”

“Main Road level crossing is one of 50 we will remove over the next eight years to save lives, reduce road congestion and run more trains.”

Quote attributable to Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten

“The community has worked hard and campaigned tirelessly to see the removal of this dangerous level crossing for years. This crossing has claimed far too many lives and there have been countless near misses. This is a big win for our community which will help ease congestion and undoubtedly save lives.”

Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

“Removing this congested death trap will not only make St Albans safer, it will reduce local road congestion and allow us to run more trains, more often on the Sunbury line.”